UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
___________________
 
FORM 8-K
___________________
 
CURRENT REPORT
 
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Date of Report:  May 25, 2011
( Date of earliest event reported )
 
NOVELOS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
( Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter )
 
Delaware
 
333-119366
 
04-3321804
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)
 
One Gateway Center, Suite 504
Newton, MA  02458
( Address of principal executive offices )
 
(617) 244-1616
( Registrant's telephone number, including area code )
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
o
Written  communications  pursuant to Rule 425 under the  Securities  Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o
Soliciting  material  pursuant to Rule  14a-12  under the  Exchange  Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) 
 
 
 

 
 
ITEM 4.01.
CHANGES IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
 
On May 25, 2011, Novelos Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”), acting through its Audit Committee, engaged Grant Thornton LLP (“GT”) as its principal accountant to audit its financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011, as well as to review the Company’s interim financial statements during the remainder of 2011.  The Company engaged GT to replace Stowe & Degon LLC (“SD”), whom the Company declined to re-engage, as the Company’s principal accountant as of May 25, 2011.
 
SD’s reports on the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 in each case indicated that factors existed that raised substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.  Such reports did not otherwise contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were not otherwise qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
 
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 and the subsequent period through May 25, 2011, (i) there were no disagreements between the Company and SD on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of SD, would have caused SD to make reference to the matter in its report on the Company’s financial statements; and (ii) there were no reportable events as the term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K.
 
The Company provided SD with a copy of the disclosures it is making in this Current Report on Form 8-K, and requested that SD furnish it with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) stating whether it agrees with the above statements. A copy of the letter, dated May 27, 2011, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 (which is incorporated by reference herein) to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
 
ITEM 5.02 
COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS

On June 1, 2011, the employment agreement between the Company and Harry Palmin dated January 31, 2006 was amended to remove the obligation of the Company to continue to pay Mr. Palmin’s salary and benefits for a period of 11 months following termination by the Company without Cause or termination by Mr. Palmin with Good Reason, in each case as defined in the agreement.  The Company may elect that the obligation of Mr. Palmin not to compete with the Company survive for a period of one year from his termination, provided however that Mr. Palmin would continue to receive his base salary during that one-year noncompetition period. A copy of the amendment, dated June 1, 2011, is filed as Exhibit 10.1 (which is incorporated by reference herein) to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
 
ITEM 5.03 
AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS

On May 25, 2011, the Company’s by-laws were amended in order to implement certain conforming changes arising out of an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 8, 2011 and previously filed with the SEC.  A copy of the amended by-laws is filed as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 9.01 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
 
d)   Exhibits
     
Number
 
Title
     
3.1
 
Amended and Restated By-laws
     
10.1
 
Second Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Harry Palmin
     
16.1
 
Letter from Stowe & Degon LLC, dated May 27, 2011

 
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SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
       
 Dated: June 1, 2011
NOVELOS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
 
     
     
 
By:  
/s/ Harry S. Palmin  
 
   
Harry S. Palmin
 
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 

 
- 3 -

 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX

Number
 
Title
     
3.1
 
Amended and Restated By-laws
     
10.1
 
Second Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Harry Palmin
     
16.1
 
Letter from Stowe & Degon LLC, dated May 27, 2011

 
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Exhibit 3.1
 
BY-LAWS

OF

NOVELOS THERAPEUTICS, INC.

a Delaware corporation


ARTICLE I
 
STOCKHOLDERS
 
SECTION 1.1.   Annual Meetings .  An annual meeting of stockholders to elect directors and transact such other business as may properly be presented to the meeting may be held at such place, within or without the State of Delaware as may be designated by or in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws, or if not so designated, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.  If pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws, the Board of Directors is authorized to determine the place of a meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL").
 
If authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication, participate in a meeting of stockholders and be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication.  If such means are authorized, the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is, in fact, a stockholder or proxyholder.  The Corporation shall also implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings.  If a stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.
 
SECTION 1.2.   Special Meetings .  A special meeting of stockholders may be called at any time by two or more directors or the Chairman of the Board or the President and shall be called by any of them or by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request to do so specifying the matter or matters appropriate for action at such a meeting proposed to be presented at the meeting and signed by holders of record of a majority of the shares of stock that would be entitled to be voted on such matter or matters if the meeting were held on the day such request is received and the record date for such meeting were the close of business on the preceding day.  Any such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined by the body or person calling such meeting and as shall be stated in the notice of such meeting.
 
 
 

 
 
SECTION 1.3.   Notice of Meeting; Notice to Stockholders .  For each meeting of stockholders, written notice shall be given stating the place, if any, date and hour, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and may vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.  Except as otherwise provided by Delaware law, the written notice of any meeting shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.  If mailed, notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder's address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.
 
Any notice given to a stockholder under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by such stockholder.  Any such consent shall be revocable by a stockholder by written notice to the Corporation and shall be deemed revoked under the circumstances described in the DGCL.  Notice given to stockholders by electronic transmission shall be given as provided in the DGCL.
 
SECTION 1.4.   Quorum .  Except as otherwise required by the DGCL or the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of record of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to be voted present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting, but in the absence of a quorum the holders of record present or represented by proxy at such meeting may vote to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, unless otherwise provided in the DGCL or By-Laws, until a quorum is obtained.
 
SECTION 1.5.   Business to be Transacted at Meetings .  No business shall be transacted at any annual meeting of stockholders, except as may be (i) specified in the notice of the meeting given by or at the direction of the Board (including, if so specified, any stockholder proposal submitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission), (ii) otherwise brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board or (iii) otherwise brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedure set forth in the following paragraph, by a stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this section, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the procedures set forth in this section.

For business to be brought by a stockholder before an annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to clause (iii) above, the stockholder must have given written notice thereof to the Secretary of the Corporation, such notice to be received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the date of the annual meeting of stockholders of the previous year; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting of stockholders is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which the Corporation's notice of the date of the meeting is first given or made to the stockholders or disclosed to the general public (which disclosure may be effected by means of a publicly available filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission), whichever occurs first.
 
 
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A stockholder's notice to the Secretary shall set forth, as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting of stockholders, (i) a brief description of the business proposed to be brought before the annual meeting of stockholders and of the reasons for bringing such business before the meeting and, if such business includes a proposal to amend either the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the text of the proposed amendment, (ii) the name and record address of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the number of shares of each class of stock of the Corporation that are beneficially owned by such stockholder, (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such business and (v) such other information relating to the proposal that is required to be disclosed in solicitations pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or other applicable law.
 
Notwithstanding anything in these By-Laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.5; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 1.5 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any business properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders in accordance with such procedures. The Chairman of an annual meeting of stockholders shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.5, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before such annual meeting of stockholders shall not be transacted.
 
SECTION 1.6.   Chairman and Secretary at Meeting .  At each meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the Board, or in such person's absence, the person designated in writing by the Chairman of the Board, or if no person is so designated, then a person designated by the Board of Directors, shall preside as chairman of the meeting; if no person is so designated,.  then the meeting shall choose a chairman by plurality vote.  The Secretary, or in such person's absence, a person designated by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

SECTION 1.7.  Voting; Proxies.  Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL or the Certificate of Incorporation:

(a)           Each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.
 
(b)           Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.   A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of a telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder.
 
 
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(c)           Directors shall be elected by a plurality vote.
 
(d)           Each matter, other than election of directors, properly presented to any meeting, shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast on the matter.
 
(e)           Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, all elections of directors shall be by written ballot.  Voting on all other matters need not be by written ballot unless ordered by the chairman of the meeting or if so requested by any stockholder present or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on such matter.
 
(f)           If authorized by the Board of Directors, the requirement of a written ballot may be satisfied by a ballot submitted by electronic submission, accompanied by the information specified in the DGCL.
 
SECTION 1.8.   Adjourned Meetings .  A meeting of stockholders may be adjourned to another time or place.  Unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date, stockholders of record for an adjourned meeting shall be as originally determined for the meeting from which the adjournment was taken.  Except as provided in the next succeeding sentence, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken.  If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote.  At the adjourned meeting at which there shall be present or represented the holders of record of the requisite number of shares, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
 
SECTION 1.9.   List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote .  At least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder, shall be prepared.  Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder (as defined in Section 220 of the DGCL or any successor statute) for any proper purpose, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to the list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or, (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation.  If the meeting is to be held at a place, such list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.  If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, such list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.
 
 
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SECTION 1.10.   Fixing of Record Date .  In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any other action.  If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; and the record date for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
 
ARTICLE II
 
DIRECTORS
 
SECTION 2.1.   Number; Term of Office; Qualifications; Vacancies.   The number of the directors constituting the entire Board of Directors shall be the number, not less than one nor more than 15, fixed from tune to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.  Until otherwise fixed by the directors, the number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be one.  Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws, the Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders to hold office, subject to Sections 2.2 through 2.6, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualify.  Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected to hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
 
SECTION 2.2 .    Classes of Directors .  The board of directors shall be and is divided into three classes:  Class I, Class II and Class III.  No one class shall have more than one director more than any other class.  If a fraction is contained in the quotient arrived at by dividing the designated number of directors by three, then, if such fraction is one-third, the extra director shall be a member of Class III, and if such fraction is two-thirds, one of the extra directors shall be a member of Class II and one of the extra directors shall be a member of Class III, unless otherwise provided from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors.
 
SECTION 2.3.                                   Terms of Office .  Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting following the annual meeting at which such director was elected; provided , that each initial director in Class I shall serve for a term ending on the date of the annual meeting in 2011; each initial director in Class II shall serve for a term ending on the date of the annual meeting in 2012; and each initial director in Class III shall serve for a term ending on the date of the annual meeting in 2013; and provided further , that the term of each director shall be subject to the election and qualification of his successor and to his earlier death, resignation or removal.
 
 
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SECTION 2.4   Allocation of Directors Among Classes in the Event of Increases or Decreases in the Number of Directors .  In the event of any increase or decrease in the authorized number of directors, (i) each director then serving as such shall nevertheless continue as a director of the class of which he is a member and (ii) the newly created or eliminated directorships resulting from such increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the board of directors among the three classes of directors so as to ensue that no one class has more than one director more than any other class.  To the extent possible, consistent with the foregoing rule, any newly created directorships shall be added to those classes whose terms of office are to expire at the latest dates following such allocation, and any newly eliminated directorships shall be subtracted from those classes whose terms of offices are to expire at the earliest dates following such allocation, unless otherwise provided from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors.
 
SECTION 2.5.   Resignation .  Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice or by electronic transmission, as defined in the DGCL, of such resignation to the Board of Directors or the Secretary of the Corporation.  Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors or the Secretary; and, unless specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.  When one or more directors shall resign from the Board of Directors effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided in these By-Laws in the filling of other vacancies.
 
SECTION 2.6.   Removal .  Subject to the provisions of the DGCL, any one or more directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.
 
SECTION 2.7.   Nomination of Directors .  Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the common shares as to dividends or upon liquidation, nominations for the election of directors may only be made (i) by the Board or a committee appointed by the Board or (ii) by a stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this section, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the procedures set forth in this section.
 
A stockholder may nominate a person or persons for election as directors only if the stockholder has given written notice of its intent to make such nomination to the Secretary of the Corporation, such notice to be received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the one year anniversary of the date of the annual meeting of stockholders of the previous year; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting of stockholders is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which the Corporation's notice of the date of the meeting is first given or made to the stockholders or disclosed to the general public (which disclosure may be effected by means of a publicly available filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission), whichever occurs first, and (ii) with respect to a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which the Corporation's notice of the date of the meeting is first given or made to the stockholders or disclosed to the general public (which disclosure may be effected by means of a publicly available filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission), whichever occurs first.
 
 
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A stockholder's notice to the Secretary shall set forth (i) the name and record address of the stockholder who intends to make such nomination, (ii) the name, age, business and residence addresses and principal occupation of each person to be nominated, (iii) the number of shares of each class of stock of the Corporation that are beneficially owned by the stockholder, (iv) a description of all arrangements and understandings between the stockholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder, (v) such other information relating to the person(s) that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or other applicable law and (vi) the written consent of each proposed nominee to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director of the Corporation if elected, together with an undertaking, signed by each proposed nominee, to furnish to the Corporation any information it may request upon the advice of counsel for the purpose of determining such proposed nominee's eligibility to serve as a director.
 
The Chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
 
SECTION 2.8.   Regular and Annual Meetings; Notice .  Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.  No notice need be given of any regular meeting, and a notice, if given, need not specify the purposes thereof.  A meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after an annual meeting of stockholders at the same place as that at which such meeting was held.
 
SECTION 2.9.   Special Meetings; Notice .  A special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President and shall be called by any one of them or by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request to do so specifying the matter or matters, appropriate for action at such a meeting, proposed to be presented at the meeting and signed by at least two directors.  Any such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined by the body or person calling such meeting.  Notice of such meeting stating the time and place thereof shall be given (a) by deposit of the notice in the United States mail, first class, postage prepaid, at least seven days before the day fixed for the meeting addressed to each director at such person's address as it appears on the Corporation's records or at such other address as the director may have furnished the Corporation for that purpose, or (b) by delivery of the notice similarly addressed for dispatch by facsimile or telegraph, or by delivery of the notice by telephone or in person, in each case at least 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting.
 
 
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SECTION 2.10.   Presiding Officer and Secretary at Meetings .  Each meeting of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, or in such person's absence, by such member of the Board of Directors as shall be chosen at the meeting.  The Secretary, or in such person's absence, an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, or if no such officer is present, a secretary of the meeting shall be designated by the person presiding over the meeting,
 
SECTION 2.11.   Quorum .  A majority of the directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but in the absence of a quorum a majority of those present (or if only one be present, then that one) may adjourn the meeting, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until such time as a quorum is present.  The vote of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
 
SECTION 2.12.   Meeting by Telephone .  Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws, members of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may participate in meetings of the Board of Directors or of such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting,
 
SECTION 2.13.   Action Without Meeting .  Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or of such committee.  The filing of such electronic transmission or transmissions shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if such minutes are maintained in electronic form.
 
SECTION 2.14.   Committees of the Board .  The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by the Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each such committee to have such name and to consist of one or more directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.  Any such committee, to the extent provided in such resolution or resolutions, shall have and may exercise the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, but no such committee shall have such power or authority in reference to (a) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (b) adopting, amending or repealing any By-Law.  In the event of the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
 
SECTION 2.15.   Compensation .  No director shall receive any stated salary for such person's services as a director or as a member of a committee but shall receive such sum, if any, as may from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors.
 
 
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ARTICLE III
 
OFFICERS
 
SECTION 3.1.   Election; Qualification .  The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President and a Secretary, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors may elect a Chairman of the Board, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries, one Treasurer, one or more Assistant Treasurers, one Controller, one or more Assistant Controllers and such other officers as it may from time to time determine.  The Board of Directors shall also determine which of the officers shall hold the offices of Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, if any.  Any officer other than the Chairman of the Board (who shall be a director of the Corporation) may, but is not required to, be a director of the Corporation.  Two or more offices may be held by the same person.
 
SECTION 3.2.   Term of Office .  Each officer shall hold office from the time of such person's election and qualification to the time at which such person's successor is elected and qualified, unless he shall die or resign or shall be removed pursuant to Section 3.4 at any time sooner.
 
SECTION 3.3.   Resignation .  Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Secretary of the Corporation.  Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, upon receipt thereof by the Board of Directors or one of the above-named officers; and, unless specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
 
SECTION 3.4.   Removal .  Any officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the vote of the Board of Directors.
 
SECTION 3.5.   Vacancies .  Any vacancy, however caused, in any office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board of Directors.
 
SECTION 3.6.   Compensation .  The compensation of each officer shall be such as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
 
SECTION 3.7.   Duties of Officers .  Officers of the Corporation shall, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, as well as such powers and duties as may be set forth in the By-Laws or as may from time to time be specifically conferred or imposed by the Board of Directors.
 
ARTICLE IV
 
CAPITAL STOCK
 
SECTION 4.1.   Stock Certificates .  The interest of each holder of stock of the Corporation shall be evidenced by a certificate or certificates in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.  Each certificate shall be signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.  Any of or all the signatures appearing on such certificate or certificates may be a facsimile.  If any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
 
 
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SECTION 4.2.   Transfer of Stock .  Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation pursuant to applicable law and such rules and regulations as the Board of Directors shall from time to time prescribe.
 
SECTION 4.3.   Redemption of Stock .  Any stock of any class or series may be made subject to redemption by the Corporation at its option or at the option of the holders of such stock upon the happening of a specified event; provided, however, that immediately following any such redemption, the Corporation shall have outstanding one or more shares of one or more classes or series of stock, which share or shares together shall have full voting powers.
 
SECTION 4.4.   Holders of Record .  Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Corporation may treat the holder of record of a share of its stock as the complete owner thereof exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notifications and otherwise entitled to all the rights and powers of a complete owner thereof, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.
 
SECTION 4.5.   Lost, Stolen,.  Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates .  The Corporation shall issue a new certificate of stock to replace a certificate theretofore issued by it alleged to have been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, if the owner or such owner's legal representative (a) requests replacement, before the Corporation has notice that the stock certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser; (b) unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, files with the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such stock certificate or the issuance of any such new stock certificate; and (c) satisfies such other terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may from time to tome prescribe.
 
ARTICLE V
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
SECTION 5.1.   Indemnification .  The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as the same may be amended and supplemented, indemnify any and all persons whom it shall have power to indemnify under said statute from and against any and all of the expenses, liabilities or other matters referred to in or covered by said statute, and the indemnification provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person may be entitled under any By-Law, resolution of stockholders, resolution of directors, agreement or otherwise, as permitted by said statute, both as to action in such person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.  This Section 5.1 shall be construed to give the Corporation the broadest power permissible by the DGCL, as it now stands and as from time to time amended.
 
 
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SECTION 5.2.   Waiver of Notice .  Whenever notice is required by the Certificate of Incorporation, the By-Laws or any provision of the DGCL, a written or electronically transmitted waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time required for such notice, shall be deemed equivalent to notice.  Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
 
SECTION 5.3.   Fiscal Year .  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall start on such date as the Board of Directors shall from time to time prescribe.
 
SECTION 5.4.   Corporate Seal .  The corporate seal shall be in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to tome prescribe, and the same may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
 

 
ARTICLE VI
 
AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
 
SECTION 6.1.   By Stockholders .  All by-laws of the Corporation shall be subject to alteration or repeal, and new by-laws may be made, by a majority of the votes cast by the shares at the time entitled to vote in the election of directors.
 
SECTION 6.2.   By Directors .  The Board of Directors shall have power to make, adopt, alter, amend and repeal, from time to time, by-laws of the Corporation; provided, however, that the shareholders entitled to vote with respect thereto as in this Article VI above provided may alter, amend or repeal by-laws made by the Board of Directors.
 
 
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Exhibit 10.1
SECOND AMENDMENT
 
TO
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
This AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made as of the 1 st day of June 2011 by and between Novelos Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with executive offices in Newton, Massachusetts (the “Company”), and Harry S. Palmin of Boston, Massachusetts (the “Executive”).
 
WITNESSETH
 
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive are parties to an Employment Agreement made as of January 31, 2006 and First Amendment made as of December 31, 2008 (together the “Employment Agreement,” a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A) pursuant to which the Executive has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company; and
 
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to amend the Employment Agreement as set forth herein.
 
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:
 
1.   Term of Employment.   Any contrary provision of the Employment Agreement notwithstanding, on and after the date hereof, the Executive’s employment shall be “at will.”  Any termination of employment either by the Company or by the Executive shall be effected upon delivery of written notice to the other party at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of termination, whether such termination would be characterized as “For Cause”, “Without Cause” or “For Good Reason”.
 
2.   Payments upon Termination.   Upon termination of employment, Executive shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to the sum of (a) base salary or other compensation through the date of termination, plus (b) the Executive’s pro rata share (based on the portion of the fiscal year during which the Executive was employed) of the average of the annual bonus paid during the two fiscal years preceding the termination of employment.
 
3.   Option Acceleration and Exercise.   Fifty percent (50%) of the Executive’s unvested options shall vest upon termination of employment and all vested options held by the Executive shall remain exercisable for a period ending on the first anniversary of the date of termination.
 
 
 

 
 
4.   Non-Competition.   The obligation of the Executive to refrain from engaging in business activity in competition with the business of the Company as set out in clause (a) of Section 10 of the Employment Agreement shall be deemed waived as of the date of termination of employment and of no force and effect unless the Company at its option delivers written notice to the Executive, not later than ten (10) days prior to such date of termination, electing that such obligation of the Executive survive for a period of one year from the termination of employment (the “Noncompete Period”) on condition that the Company pay to the Executive the installments of base salary payable under the Employment Agreement in such amounts and at such time as if the Executive had continued to be employed by the Company throughout the Noncompete Period.
 
5.   Construction; Survival.   All capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the same meaning as in the Employment Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires.  Except as may be modified expressly in this Amendment, the Employment Agreement remains in full force and effect.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment to Employment Agreement has been executed by the Company, by its duly authorized signatory, and by the Executive, as of the date first above written.
 
  NOVELOS THERAPEUTICS, INC.  
       
 
By:
/s/  Stephen A. Hill  
  Name:  Stephen A. Hill  
  Title:  Chairman of the Board of Directors  
       
       
 
EXECUTIVE:
 
     
  /s/ Harry Palmin  
 
Harry Palmin
 

 
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Exhibit A

[included as Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on February 6, 2006]
 
 
 
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Exhibit 16.1

[STOWE & DEGON LETTERHEAD]

May 27, 2011

Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549

We have been furnished with a copy of the response to Item 4.01 of Form 8-K for the event that occurred on May 25, 2011, to be filed by our former client, Novelos Therapeutics, Inc.  We agree with the statements made in response to that Item insofar as they relate to our Firm.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Stowe & Degon LLC